National Credit and ECTS Values

Credit/hour load and ECTS credit load of courses

(1) The course load of a course is defined in two ways: National Credit Load and ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) Value.

The National Credit Load is based on the weekly hours of theoretical classes, laboratory sessions, and in-class practices.
The ECTS value is calculated by the department offering the course, based on the student workload, with a standard recommendation of 30 ECTS per semester.
One hour of theoretical class per week equals 1 national credit, while one hour of practical/laboratory work equals 0.5 national credit.
One ECTS corresponds approximately to 25–30 hours of student workload per semester.
The national credit and ECTS values of other instructional activities such as workshops, studios, fieldwork, and internships are determined by the Senate based on proposals from relevant academic committees.
The national credit value of any activity outside the theoretical part of a course cannot exceed four.

(2) The maximum national credit load a student can take per semester/year is determined by the Senate based on the proposal of the relevant academic committees.

Courses from certificate or similar programs that are not part of the student’s curriculum do not count towards their semester/year course load, and such courses cannot be transferred into associate, undergraduate, minor, or double major programs.

(3) Changes in associate and bachelor’s degree curricula for each academic year are finalized by the Senate following the approval of relevant committees within the deadlines stated in the academic calendar.

(4) The maximum duration of study is monitored based on the student’s year/semester of enrollment.

The study period starts from the first semester/year of the student’s initial enrollment into their associate or undergraduate program.
The first academic year is considered the year of initial enrollment, regardless of the student’s academic performance.
In horizontal transfers, the time spent in the previous program(s) is added to the current program’s duration.
In vertical transfers, the semesters prior to the adaptation semester are added to the total study period.

(5) The student’s course load per semester/year may be reduced, except for the first academic year, if:

• required by the weekly course schedule,

• or justified by valid and legitimate reasons,
  with the student’s request, academic advisor’s recommendation, department chair’s approval, and faculty/institute board’s consent.
  However, students must be enrolled in at least two courses per semester.

(6) Successful students who have studied in their associate or undergraduate programs for at least one year or two semesters may increase their course loads under the following conditions:

• If their GPA is at least 3.50, they may add up to 3 credits or one course.

• If their GPA is 3.75 or above, they may add up to 6 credits or two courses.

(7) A student who is eligible to graduate within the next two consecutive semesters (excluding summer school) may be allowed to take one additional course per semester beyond the maximum credit limit.

(8) Students cannot retake exempted courses for grade improvement.

(9) During summer school, a student may enroll in a maximum of four courses, provided the total does not exceed 10 national credits, including external courses.

If a student is eligible to graduate at the end of the summer term, they may be allowed to take one additional course, either from within the institution or from an external institution.